Marleen Louise Ballentine

Marleen Louise Ballentine, age 60, of Somerdale and formerly of New Philadelphia unexpectedly went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, November 26, 2013, in her home.

A daughter of Kenneth and Aileen (Nation) Hill of Coshocton and formerly of New Philadelphia, Marleen was born in Union Hospital at Dover on June 18, 1953.

She was a 1971 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and worked for Schwab Industries, the former Doctors Hospital at Massillon and most recently Mercy Medical Center at Canton.

Marleen enjoyed many hobbies that included singing, bowling, sign language, and reading. She also enjoyed dancing having been involved with the New Towne Cloggers and square dancing groups.

Being a mother, however, was Marleen’s true passion in life as she shared much of her time with her four daughters as a 4-H advisor, helping them on their fair projects through the years. She also enjoyed putting her skills as a seamstress to good use making clothing, for not only her children, but for their Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbie Dolls as well. She enjoyed crocheting and making blankets for her grandchildren, cooking, baking and teaching swimming lessons for the Red Cross early in life.

For many years, during the summer months, Marleen spent time with her family as they enjoyed boating and swimming at Tappan Lake. She traveled to Missouri to attend the Nation Family Reunions where she appreciated the company of her extended family.

Marleen will be greatly missed by her parents, her four daughters, Traci (Richard) Gardner of Port Washington, Brandi (Aris) Terakedis of Dennison, Kristi (Roy) Beach of New Philadelphia, and Nicole (Joshua, D.C.) Barousse of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Other survivors include her former husband, Ben Ballentine of New Philadelphia; siblings, Kenneth (Rose Marie) Hill, Jr. of Florida, Dan (Richard Ross) Hill of Texas, Kathleen (Jim) Green, Darleen Grimm, and Ronald Hill all of Ohio.

Completing her family are her loving companion Randy Burkhardt, with whom she was looking forward to spending the rest of her days making great memories; her beloved grandchildren, Richard Austin, Autumn, Aric, and Alexander Gardner, Brittany Link, Alec and Allie Terakedis, Hunter and Matthew Beach, Ellie, Rory, Daniel, Logan and Wyatt Barousse, who is expected to be born in January, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will greet guests on Monday, December 2, 2013 from 1:00 – 3:00 and 5:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A service celebrating Marleen’s life will be led by Pastor Dave D’Angelo, in the funeral home’s chapel on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 10:30 AM. Burial in the Sharon Moravian Church cemetery will follow.